Tax season is once again upon us and predatory lenders are looking to take your hard-earned tax refund. Refund anticipation loans (RALs) or “rapid refund” tax loans are widely advertised by predatory tax preparers as a quick and easy way to access tax refunds.

However, the tax filer typically ends up paying enormous fees to access their tax return usually only up to 10 days faster than they would have if they had filed electronically. Thus, individual tax filers do not reap the benefits of their full tax refund. Instead, a large amount of their hard-earned money goes toward covering expenses associated with the RAL.

Previous research by First Nations Development Institute suggests that Native Americans use RALs at extremely high rates and tribal leaders have identified RALs as a significant issue in Native communities. The use of RALs by tribal members not only drains money from individual tribal citizens but also drains money from reservation economies.

In these hard economic times, there may be even greater temptation and need for tax filers to take out a RAL. However, tax filers should know there are alternative steps that can be taken to ensure they get their full refund.

Voluntary Income Tax Assistance Sites: VITA sites are present in or near many Native communities and provide free or low-cost tax preparation services to individuals. These sites have a certified volunteer staff to prepare taxes for filers and most locations offer free electronic filing. For instance, many tribal colleges offer this service for community members. Do some research to see if there is a VITA site near you.

Electronic Filing: Tax filers can now file their taxes electronically (e-file) and this speeds up receipt of tax refunds. As the IRS notes, when individuals use the e-file option they typically get their return back in two weeks. E-filing allows filers to have their refund directly deposited into their bank account without any extra charge. E-filing does require a bank account. If filers do not currently have one, plan ahead. Individuals can open a bank account at a credit union, for example, with as little as $20.

Make Sure Your Tax Preparer Qualifies You For All Your Tax Credits and Deductions: Anecdotal evidence has suggested that many predatory tax filers don’t do enough to ensure filers are getting their full tax credits and deductions. For instance, the Earned Income Tax Credit is a tax credit aimed at assisting low to moderate income families. Every year, the IRS estimates that about 25 percent of individuals eligible for the EITC do not claim the credit, translating into billions of dollars of unclaimed assistance aimed at helping those that need it most.

Ask Questions: Tax filers should ask questions about their refund. This not only includes asking questions about tax credits and deductions but also asking questions about the fees and charges associated with tax preparation. Most of us have a limited understanding of the complex tax laws. Asking questions not only develops our intellectual capacity but also ensures transparency between the filer and preparer.

While the promise of instant cash may sound appealing to some tax filers, some tax preparers do not disclose the high costs associated with this form of instant gratification. Tax filers should be aware of any hidden fees associated with their tax return and do the necessary work to ensure they are getting their full refund. These are just some suggestions we should all consider when accessing our tax refund.

Michael E. Roberts (Tlingit) is the president of First Nations Development Institute. Founded in 1980, FNDI is a national Native American-led nonprofit organization.